Self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids

ABSTRACT

A two piece dispensing system for viscous fluids includes a valve body and a valve cap. The valve body threadingly engages the factory nozzle of the viscous fluid tube/cartridge. The hollow valve body and valve cap are slidably engaged via rotational engagement to allow the discharge of fluid or to seal the container. The valve body has two groves with a circumferential scraping edge to collect the fluid, prevent unwanted ejection of the fluid from the tube, and help seal the tube&#39;s contents from the atmosphere. The dispensing system is matingly conformed so as to utilize a triple atmospheric seal when closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the art of dispensing viscous fluids, such as caulk, paste, putty, etc. In Particular the present invention relates to a self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for caulk.

Commercially available caulk comes in either a pliable polymer tube or a cylindrical cartridge for use with a caulking gun. Whether in a tube or cylindrical cartridge the manufacture provides a sealed nozzle for application of the caulk that the user must cut in order to dispense the caulk. Once cut, the nozzle is non-resealable. Since caulk is air-cured, the inability of the user to reseal the tube or cartridge results in the remainder of the caulking material going to waste.

The obvious solution has been to utilize a resealable cap, and there is a plethora of prior art caps that purport to allow the reuse of these opened containers, however they all fail in at least one of the following problem areas.

First, to engage and seal the cap causes an unwanted amount of the caulk to be ejected from the end of the cap. Second, the leading edge of the caulking does contact enough air to harden, usually jamming the cap and preventing its opening because there are not enough seal barriers between the atmosphere and the tube contents when closed. Third, the flow of caulking that is dispensed through the cap is not sizeable. This of course is also a problem when a cap is not used. Cutting of the sealed nozzle provides for the inability for the user to control the flow of the caulk during application as nothing regulates the flow of caulk through the nozzle other than pressure applied to the tube or cylindrical cartridge, making it difficult to maintain a smooth bead throughout the application.

A second part of the present system is a two piece soft tube winder utilizing a split winding key that affixes to the base of a soft tube such as a toothpaste tube and a winding plate that encapsulates the key and the end of the,tube. As the key is wound, the tube is drawn into the winding plate through a narrow, restricted slit forcing the tube's contents up and out.

The following invention actually cleanly seals the caulking tube in an airtight manner and allows control over the bead dispensed. Henceforth, a self cleaning, triple sealing, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids would fulfill a long felt need in the construction industry. It will allow the clean, simple reuse of previously opened tubes after long periods of inactivity, as well as allowing the user to dispense more of the tube's contents. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems and accomplish this.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a system that is able to seal opened tubes of caulk in a manner that allows the reuse of these tubes at a later date.

It has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing system for viscous fluids capable of use on a plethora of different sized tubes.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing system for viscous fluids capable of triple sealing the tube contents from the atmosphere so as to eliminate the unwanted sealing of the tube by the hardening on the caulk.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing system for viscous fluids that allows for a controlled dispersing of the tube's contents.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide for an improved dispensing system for viscous fluids that utilizes a double atmospheric seal.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing system for viscous fluids that may be closed without the ejection of any further caulk from the tube.

Lastly, it is an object of this invention to provide for a method of maximizing the use of the tube's contents and preventing waste by unnecessary ejection and or hardening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the valve assembly;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of valve assembly;

FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway side view of the valve assembly;

FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway side view of the valve assembly rotated 90 degrees;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the valve assembly;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the valve cap;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the valve cap;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the valve cap;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the valve assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the valve assembly in the open position;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a closed valve assembly on a cylindrical tube of caulk;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an opened valve assembly on a cylindrical tube of caulk;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the winder key;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the winder key;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the winder plate; and

FIG. 16 is a side view of the winder plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

Looking at FIG. 1 the closed valve assembly 2 can best be seen. The two piece dispensing system for viscous fluids embodying the principle of the present invention, includes a valve assembly 2 made up of a valve body 4 and a valve cap 6. The cylindrical round nose stub 12 (FIG. 4) of the valve body 4 can be seen extending from the top orifice 14 (FIG. 10) of the valve cap 6. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 9 and 10 The valve body 4 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and has a set of internal threads 8 for secure engagement with the factory nozzle of the viscous fluid tube/cartridge 10. These internal threads 10 have a very sharp thread profile wherein the crest of the thread and the root of the thread have little truncation. The preferred thread depth with truncation included is around 75% of the pitch although thread depths of 60% to 65% will work. The lack of rounding on the crests is done so as to firmly engage the spout of a caulking tube. It is a single start coarse threadform although a double start could be utilized for faster engagement and a fine thread could also be used. The threadform conforms to and The preferred material of construction is a high density polyethylene that is both hard and can hold an edge well. This is inexpensive and well suited for repeated usage.

Looking at FIGS. 3 and 4 it can be seen that the valve body 4 is generally cylindrical and has a set of wings 16 extending normally from base ring 18. The hollow lower shaft section 20 joins the base ring 18 at its distal end and has an upper tapered shoulder 22 formed at its proximate end that is connected to the hollow upper shaft section 24. There are two grooves 26 cut into the exterior surface of the lower shaft section 20 that matingly engage 2 protuberances 28 on the interior surface of the valve cap 6. (FIG. 6) The shape of the groove is such so as to allow the valve cap 6 to move down the valve body 4 as it is twisted. Once it reaches its fully down position the continued twisting causes the valve cap 6 to move about or around the valve body 4, thereby locking the valve assembly closed and finally wiping the caulk from the valve cap/valve body interfaces.

The hollow upper shaft section 24 has a smaller diameter than the lower shaft section 20 and has an open upper end 30 (FIG. 9) the inner beveled periphery 34 (FIG. 10) around which has a set of web arms 32 extending therefrom connecting to the solid round nose stub 12. This periphery bevel extends down toward the lower shaft section 20. The number of web arms may vary although 3 has shown to allow adequate flow openings 35 for a smooth flow of caulk.

Looking at FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 it can best be seen that the valve cap 6 is generally a hollow tapered cylinder with a corrugated lower outer surface configuration 36 on the lower section to enable twisting of the valve cap 6 about the valve body 4. The lower section of the valve cap 4 is matingly configured to fit comfortably about the lower shaft section 20 of the valve body 4. The tapered transitional section 38 is mating conformed for a close tolerance engagement with the upper tapered shoulder 22 of the lower shaft section 20 so as to form a first seal when the valve assembly 2 is closed. The middle section 40 of the valve cap 6 has an internal diameter that approximates the external diameter of the upper shaft section 24 of the valve body 4 such that these elements are in sliding engagement and form a second seal. The upper section 42 of the valve cap 6 is tapered with an end orifice 44 sized approximately the same as the outer diameter of the round nose stub 12 so as to allow for sliding engagement between these elements and form a third seal.

In operation, the tip of the tube of caulking is cut open and the valve assembly 2 is threadingly engaged over the tip by the rotation of the valve body 4 in a downwards and clockwise manner over the tip. The wings 16 enable the user to exert a substantial amount of torque to allow the threads to “bite” into the tip. At this time the valve assembly 2 is closed as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 9. Here it can be seen that the round nose stub 12 contacts the inner surface of the upper section 42 and extends partially through end orifice 44 (forming third atmospheric seal), the upper shaft section 24 contacts the middle section 40 (forming second atmospheric seal), and the upper tapered shoulder 22 contacts the transitional section 38 (forming first atmospheric seal.)

The valve assembly 2 is opened and closed via sliding rotational movement of the valve cap 6 about the valve body 4. When it is twisted counterclockwise to open, the first and third seals are broken but the second seal remains intact. That is to say that the round nose stub 12 is withdrawn from the end orifice 44 and the upper tapered shoulder 22 breaks contact with the transitional section 38 but the upper shaft section 24 still remains in contact with the middle section 40.

When the valve assembly 2 is opened and pressure is exerted on the tube 10 caulk 50 may flow through the hollow valve body 2 and out of the flow openings 35 so as to contact the inner surface of the upper section 42 to be channeled towards and through the end orifice 44. It is important to note that when the valve assembly 2 is twisted closed virtually no caulk will be forced out of the end orifice 44 because of two simultaneous actions of the twisting valve assembly 2. As the valve cap 6 is twisted shut any residual caulk 50 caught in the upper section 42 of the cap 6 will be back scrapped into the upper shaft section 24 by virtue of the inner beveled periphery 34 at the same time that the round nose stub 12 seals off the end orifice 44. It is also to be noted that since the valve cap 6 rotates approximately 60 degrees about the valve body 4 once it reaches its fully close position, all the seals are also spun approximately 60 degrees to ensure proper seating of the mating seal faces. Not only does this make a secure seal, it also wipes evenly any caulk caught between these seal surfaces allowing for easy opening.

A second part of the present system is a two piece soft tube winder utilizing a split winder key 52 and a winder plate 54. Looking at FIGS. 13-16 these components may be better appreciated. The winder key 52 has a round tubular configuration with a distal and rounded end 57 and a proximate rounded end 59 that has a planar grip 56 extending normally therefrom. A tube slot 60 extends from the distal end 57 partway along the longitudinal axis of the winder key 52. The end of a soft tube (such as a toothpaste tube) is to be frictionally engaged into this tube slot 60.

A ribbon winder plate 54 is formed from a flexible, thin, plate that has been partially coiled so as to form a winder pocket 62 and a tube slit 64. In practice, the end of the soft tube is slid through the tube slit 64 and into the winder plate pocket 62 far enough to allow the tube slot 60 to be slid over the end of the soft tube that is in the winder plate pocket. As the key 52 is wound, the soft tube is drawn into the winder plate pocket 62 through the narrow, restricted tube slit 64 forcing the tube's contents up and out. Frictional engagement between the tube and the inside surface of the winder plate pocket 62 keeps the soft tube from uncoiling.

In conjunction, with the valve assembly 2, the soft tube winder allows efficient dispensing of viscous fluids in soft tubes such as toothpaste.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general principles of the present invention have been disclosed. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids comprising: a hollow valve body with a set of engageable grooves formed about an exterior surface thereof; and a hollow generally cylindrical valve cap with a set of protuberances matingly conformed to said grooves and formed on an interior surface thereof; wherein said valve cap is rotatably engaged about the exterior surface of said valve body.
 2. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 1 wherein said valve body has a multi stepped external diameter with an internally threaded lower portion, a centrally located tapered transition portion, and an upper cylindrical portion with an open upper end and an inner beveled periphery around which at least three arms extend therefrom connecting to a solid stub that extends normally along a longitudinal axis of said valve body.
 3. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 2 wherein said valve cap has multi stepped internal diameter that has a lower shaft ending in a transition, centrally tapering ring ending in an upper shaft ending in a tapered shaft having an exit orifice formed at an end thereof.
 4. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 3 wherein said valve cap has a configuration and tolerances so as to conform to said valve body to form three air sealing engagements.
 5. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 3 wherein said upper cylindrical portion of said valve body is in continuous rotational contact with said upper shaft of said valve cap so as to form a second sealing engagement.
 6. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 5 wherein said centrally tapering ring of said valve cap is matingly conformed for a first sealing engagement with said transition portion of said valve body.
 7. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 6 wherein said solid stub of said valve body matingly conforms to said exit orifice of said valve cap so as to allow a third sealing engagement.
 8. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 6 wherein when said valve cap is rotatably engaged about the exterior surface of said valve body said valve cap descends upon said valve body until said solid stub of said valve body extends through said exit orifice forming a third seal, simultaneously occurring with the contact of said tapering ring of said valve cap with said transition portion of said valve body forming a first seal.
 9. The self-cleaning, reusable dispensing system for viscous fluids of claim 6 further comprising: a winder key having a round tubular configuration with a rounded distal end and a rounded proximate end that has a planar grip extending therefrom and a through slot extending from the distal end partway along the longitudinal axis of the winder key; and a flexible, thin, winder plate that is partially coiled so as to form a partially enclosed tubular pocket thereon; wherein the end of a soft tube filled with said viscous fluid is inserted into said pocket and said slot of said winder key is slid over the end of said soft tube in said pocket such that as said winder key is wound, the soft tube is drawn into the winder plate pocket and frictional engagement between the tube and the inside surface of the winder plate pocket keeps the soft tube from uncoiling. 